CVE-2008-7112 in Scanner File Utility
Summary
by MITRE
The Scanner File Utility (aka listener) in Kyocera Mita (KM) 3.3.0.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (hang or crash) via invalid field length values in a malformed (1) document or (2) request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7112 affects the Scanner File Utility component within Kyocera Mita version 3.3.0.1, which operates as a listener service for document processing and scanning operations. This critical flaw resides in the software's handling of malformed input data, specifically targeting the validation mechanisms that process field length values in incoming documents or requests. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer over-read or improper input validation issue that can be exploited remotely by attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the Scanner File Utility's parsing logic. When the system encounters malformed documents or requests containing invalid field length values, the utility fails to properly validate these inputs before processing them. This deficiency allows attackers to craft specially crafted payloads that manipulate field length parameters in ways that exceed expected boundaries, causing the utility to enter an undefined state. The vulnerability manifests as a denial of service condition where the system either hangs indefinitely or crashes completely, effectively rendering the scanning and document processing capabilities unavailable to legitimate users. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of length values, and represents a form of input validation attack that can be classified under the broader ATT&CK technique T1499.1 for network denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential business continuity issues for organizations relying on Kyocera Mita systems for document management and scanning operations. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause complete system unavailability during critical business hours, leading to productivity losses and potential financial impacts. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the network perimeter, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed scanning services or network configurations that allow external access to the affected utility. The vulnerability affects not just individual devices but entire document processing workflows that depend on the Scanner File Utility for proper operation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7112 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Kyocera Mita software to version 3.3.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the Scanner File Utility service, particularly restricting access to trusted internal networks only. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation at network boundaries through firewalls and intrusion prevention systems to filter malformed requests before they reach the vulnerable component. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable services within the same software ecosystem, as similar input validation flaws may exist in related components. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts, and system administrators should maintain comprehensive logging of all Scanner File Utility activities for forensic analysis purposes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation in network services and aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and ISO 27001 standards for secure system development and operational security management.